The Brookhaven leader., 1887-01-27

Written by Mrs. v G.. Harris, the day are
the killing If Conductor George Arid IN th'
railroad wreck a few miles north of BIOOklayeI
Oh the stormy night OF April q, 1880
Come sit We still, while l paint with my
pen-picture for yOu.
"Poor artist" you'll say, l know but
thcu-this is so true.
Oh blacklist of night, the rains constant
pour-how appalling!
Never was there in memory of yOre, such
falling.
The heavens quaked-the lightning's lu-
rid glare showed faces pale;
Each thinking of one on the road some
where in this fierce gale.
For the /. c. Road holds many a man OF
gentle blOOd;
Who'll start tonight Ivy the quick COM
mand to brave the flood.
While mothers are praying, God save my
son, trust to Thee
My only joy-the staff lean upon he's
all to me.
And wives go oft TO lift the ready latch,
but go i'll vain;
And list and list the welcome sound to
catch of coming train.
But one whose face twas agony to see,
wild-eyed with fright,
Pressed close the pane and moaned, ooh
where is he this dreadful night 7"
"See the heavens seem lit with dancing
fire, he's facing death"
As shrieking winds rose higher and high
er, she held her breath.
Hank was that a whistle or dying
knell the floods 30 strong
"a wreck wreck ~ she cried, "my heart
can tell when something's wrong"
One said, "Look up. Gods everywhere
to-uight He's here, He's there"
But they saw her lips grow fixed and
white by lightning's glare.
Closing the easement to shut ont the
storm, they turned about
Her couch to smooth-to quiet her alarm,
she was not stout.
She laid her brown head on the pillow
white at their request;
But turned like wounded DOVE, in spite
of her soft nest.
One took Gods blessed Book and babe
her heed, and thought twas wise:
Twelfth chapter of Romans she gan to
read with dim, wet eyes.
Her voice was weak, tho wind it was 80
high, but still she read
Four verses-Hush! oh. lear her startled
cry, Il know he's dead :"
The clock is telling now the midnight
hour; all feel a shock.
Time piece ne'er struck With such potent
power, "Tic.toc, tic-tOc."
'Tis morning now, and this land of ours
ah, would you know,
Is called a land of sunshine and flowers 7
And it is so;
For sweet roses red aud sweet roses white
mocketh the eye;
While rain-dropS glist'uing with diamond
light upon them lie.
Though the emerald shades are still aglow
with floods of light,
1t but dcepcns this sick'ning weight of
woe-O, I'm not right.
A bird flew down at my feet just now to
find a crumb;
The bird seems hooking ne too, VOW,
my heart is numb.
Another is coming with song this way,
oh tell me whyY
Hush. bird my soul is wanting to pray
Quick lest it die.
INor :, tro;,, ,X.oo ,rronl- al 1ret uiUbt uear
this city;
CONDUCTOR was killed; but fingered TIL
light-O God, pity!
Meath the seething engines clustering
breath till break of day
He was gasping, wrlthIng. praying for
death how can pray?
Where were Gods angels last night, my
soul Were they not therei
Did they stem the flood and with sweet
control help him to bearf
Go, tell her they were, his Dove seems
dying in her white nest;
Away my soul. on swift pinions flying
say God knows best.
For this brave man stood undaunted by
fear, with mind intent
On duty, near his faithful engineer-on,
OH they went
Rushing to death-but then duty was right
to such as he;
And God approved of his duty last night
$50 mote it be-"
Now the sun is throwing his mellow ray